India’s first synod of lay Catholics seeks greater role in Church governance

(July 02, 2012) The first synod of Catholic lay people in India has sought that bishops and priests play a strictly spiritual role and allow the faithful to manage schools and other Church institutions. Around 100 delegates from 15 north Indian dioceses attended the two-day synod that ended on Sunday in New Delhi. The All India Catholic Union (AICU) and the Federation of Catholic Association of the Archdiocese of Delhi, organized the historic meeting to enlighten Catholics about their rights and duties. “The northern region consultation was aimed at empowering the 17 million Indian laity based on the guidelines of the Second Vatican Council and Canon Law,” said AICU president Remy Denis. AICU vice president Eugene Gonsalves said the consultation demanded the implementation of the Vatican II’s teachings on governance and participatory structures in the Church on the occasion of the Vatican II’s golden jubilee. He said the council had declared the laity’s participation in prophetic, kingly and priestly office of Christ. The laity synod wanted parish councils be made a decision-making body, parish finance committees and formation of laity through lay associations. Earlier, opening the synod, Cardinal Telesphore Placidus Toppo, president of India’s Latin-rite bishops said the synod offers new and dynamic ways for the laity to join the mission of the Church. However, he cautioned the laity that their deliberations must take care of the fact that whatever they do should be for the growth and unity in the Church. Bishop Anil Couto of Jalandhar, one of 11 bishops present at the laity synod, admitted there was laity resentment, but said each case should be dealt with separately.